Pharmacologic reductions of total tau levels; implications for the role of microtubule dynamics in regulating tau expression

<p>Abstract</p> <p>The microtubule-associated protein tau (MAPT) is a pathological component of several neurodegenerative diseases and clinical dementias. Here, we have investigated the effects of a series of commercially available FDA-approved compounds and natural products on tot...

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Main Authors: Dickey Chad A, Ash Peter, Klosak Natalia, Lee Wing C, Petrucelli Leonard, Hutton Michael, Eckman Christopher B
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2006-07-01
Series:Molecular Neurodegeneration
Online Access:http://www.molecularneurodegeneration.com/content/1/1/6
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author Dickey Chad A
Ash Peter
Klosak Natalia
Lee Wing C
Petrucelli Leonard
Hutton Michael
Eckman Christopher B
author_facet Dickey Chad A
Ash Peter
Klosak Natalia
Lee Wing C
Petrucelli Leonard
Hutton Michael
Eckman Christopher B
author_sort Dickey Chad A
collection DOAJ
description <p>Abstract</p> <p>The microtubule-associated protein tau (MAPT) is a pathological component of several neurodegenerative diseases and clinical dementias. Here, we have investigated the effects of a series of commercially available FDA-approved compounds and natural products on total tau protein levels using a cell-based approach that allows for the rapid and efficient measurement of changes in protein expression.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The compounds that reduced tau largely fell within 3 functional categories with the largest percentage being microtubule regulators. Several of these candidates were validated in both a human neuroglioma and a human neuroblastoma cell line. While these drugs lead to a rapid reduction in tau protein levels, a selective decrease in MAPT mRNA expression was also observed.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These findings suggest that the identified compounds that reduce tau levels may act either through direct effects on the MAPT promoter itself or by altering a feedback transcriptional mechanism regulating MAPT transcription. This is particularly interesting in light of recent evidence suggesting that MAPT 5' UTR mutations in late-onset PD and PSP cases alter the expression of tau mRNA. In fact, one of the compounds we identified, rotenone, has been used extensively to model PD in rodents. These observations may provide key insights into the mechanism of tau turnover within the neuron while also providing the first evidence that selectively reducing tau protein levels may be possible using compounds that are FDA-approved for other uses.</p>
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spelling doaj.art-c960094c5285458bad987d73315ad9182022-12-22T03:05:15ZengBMCMolecular Neurodegeneration1750-13262006-07-0111610.1186/1750-1326-1-6Pharmacologic reductions of total tau levels; implications for the role of microtubule dynamics in regulating tau expressionDickey Chad AAsh PeterKlosak NataliaLee Wing CPetrucelli LeonardHutton MichaelEckman Christopher B<p>Abstract</p> <p>The microtubule-associated protein tau (MAPT) is a pathological component of several neurodegenerative diseases and clinical dementias. Here, we have investigated the effects of a series of commercially available FDA-approved compounds and natural products on total tau protein levels using a cell-based approach that allows for the rapid and efficient measurement of changes in protein expression.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The compounds that reduced tau largely fell within 3 functional categories with the largest percentage being microtubule regulators. Several of these candidates were validated in both a human neuroglioma and a human neuroblastoma cell line. While these drugs lead to a rapid reduction in tau protein levels, a selective decrease in MAPT mRNA expression was also observed.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These findings suggest that the identified compounds that reduce tau levels may act either through direct effects on the MAPT promoter itself or by altering a feedback transcriptional mechanism regulating MAPT transcription. This is particularly interesting in light of recent evidence suggesting that MAPT 5' UTR mutations in late-onset PD and PSP cases alter the expression of tau mRNA. In fact, one of the compounds we identified, rotenone, has been used extensively to model PD in rodents. These observations may provide key insights into the mechanism of tau turnover within the neuron while also providing the first evidence that selectively reducing tau protein levels may be possible using compounds that are FDA-approved for other uses.</p>http://www.molecularneurodegeneration.com/content/1/1/6
spellingShingle Dickey Chad A
Ash Peter
Klosak Natalia
Lee Wing C
Petrucelli Leonard
Hutton Michael
Eckman Christopher B
Pharmacologic reductions of total tau levels; implications for the role of microtubule dynamics in regulating tau expression
Molecular Neurodegeneration
title Pharmacologic reductions of total tau levels; implications for the role of microtubule dynamics in regulating tau expression
title_full Pharmacologic reductions of total tau levels; implications for the role of microtubule dynamics in regulating tau expression
title_fullStr Pharmacologic reductions of total tau levels; implications for the role of microtubule dynamics in regulating tau expression
title_full_unstemmed Pharmacologic reductions of total tau levels; implications for the role of microtubule dynamics in regulating tau expression
title_short Pharmacologic reductions of total tau levels; implications for the role of microtubule dynamics in regulating tau expression
title_sort pharmacologic reductions of total tau levels implications for the role of microtubule dynamics in regulating tau expression
url http://www.molecularneurodegeneration.com/content/1/1/6
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